Effect of reuse times on H13 powder properties processed by selective electron beam melting

ABSTRACT

The inconsistency of high material cost and powder properties are the primary barriers to widespread adoption of metal additive manufacturing. Obviously, powder reuse without affecting the properties of the parts can reduce the cost burden. In this study, the properties of H13 (4Cr5MoSiV1) powder were evaluated 16 build cycles in selective electron beam melting. Results show that the crystal plane spacing and particle size of the powder increased with reuse. With the increase i reuse times, more irregular particles appeared and the flowability decreased. The oxygen and nitrogen content of powder gradually increases from 149 to 250 ppm and 237 ppm to 394 ppm, respectively, with reuse. The simulation results show that the wider particle size distribution, the better the relative packing performance of the powder layer. Powder reuse has no negative effect on the hardness of the as-built samples.

KEYWORDS:

• Additive manufacturing
• selective electron beam melting
• powder reuse
• H13
• microstructure
• DEM modelling

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the National Key R&D Program Cooperation Unit Project [grant number 2021YFB3701903-03], [grant number 2021YFB3701802-03]; Xi'an Science and Technology Plan Project 2021 [grant number 21XJZZ0051], Xi'an University of Technology Graduate Research Fund Project [grant number 252062101], [grant number 252062102].

Notes on contributors

Xin Yang

Xin Yang holds a PhD in materials science from Central South University and is an associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology. His current research interests include titanium alloys, powder metallurgy, metal additive manufacturing and surface treatment.

Chenhao Sun

Chenhao Sun is a graduate student at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology. His current research focuses on selective electron beam melting of H13 steel.

Fenghui Wang

Fenghui Wang is a graduate student at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology. His current research focuses on numerical simulation of additive manufacturing process.

Yangkai Lai

Yangkai Lai is a graduate student at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology. His current research focuses on the precipitation behaviour of selective electron beam melting H13 steel.

Shifeng Liu

Shifeng Liu holds a PhD in materials engineering from Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, is a professor in the School of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. He mainly researches titanium and titanium alloy, high-entropy alloy, cemented carbide, special steel and other metal 3D printing powder raw materials design, forming equipment preparation, material technology and performance research.

Yingkang Wei

Yingkang Wei holds a PhD degree from Xi’an Jiaotong University. His research interests focus on the design of powder materials, 3D printing and coating technology.

Jungang Yang

Jungang Yang holds a PhD in materials science from Xi’an Jiaotong University and is an associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology. His current research focuses on material heating equipment and magnesium alloy strengthening.

Huiping Tang

Huiping Tang holds a PhD degree from Central South University of Technology. Her research interests focus on metal porous materials, rare refractory metal materials.